Fluid control system

ABSTRACT

A fluid flow control device for controlling the flow of fluid within a pipe system is provided and includes a flow actuation device, wherein the flow actuation device is disposed within the flow path of the pipe system and wherein the flow actuation device is configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, an actuator control device, wherein the actuator control device is associated with the flow actuation device and a processing device, the processing device disposed to be associated with the actuator control device to cause the flow actuation device to be configured between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to a pipe system containing a fluidand more particularly to an apparatus and method for controlling theflow and volume of fluid within a pipe system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In climates that experience a wide range of temperature variations, suchas the northeastern United States, it is necessary to take precautionsto prevent damage from occurring to liquid flow systems that are exposedto extreme temperatures. One such liquid flow system that is typicallysusceptible to temperature variations is the plumbing system of abuilding, in particular older buildings and buildings used for seasonalpurposes, such as vacation homes. Poor insulation on the exterior wallsof these buildings may allow any pipes disposed in proximity to theexterior walls to be exposed to temperatures lower than 32 degreesFahrenheit, thus permitting any liquid contained within these pipes tofreeze. As the liquid within the pipe freezes, the liquid expandsexerting pressure on the walls of the pipe causing the pipes to crackand the plumbing system to fail allowing liquid to escape from the crackin the pipe. Unfortunately, damage is not limited to just plumbingsystems. Depending upon the location of the pipe failure, damage canoccur to the surrounding environment as well, such as an interior floor,an interior wall, an interior ceiling and/or cabinets containing thepipes.

The most common solution to this problem involves leaving the faucetconnected to these exterior pipes open sufficiently enough to allow aslow dripping of the water to emanate from the faucet. Because thiswater usually comes from buried pipes at a temperature above freezing ata rate faster than it can be frozen, this flowing of water is typicallywarm enough to prevent freezing of the piping upstream of the faucet.Unfortunately however, faucet dripping is not always feasible, as no onemay be available to open the faucet, the faucet may be forgotten open,or the cold weather may be unexpected. Further, this dripping can bewasteful of water in that the faucets often drip longer than isnecessary and for plumbing systems that depend upon a well pump, thismay put excessive usage on the well pump.

Another solution to this problem involves the use of an insulativecovering disposed around the piping in the vicinity of exposure to lowthermal temperatures. Unfortunately, this insulation cannot protect thefaucet itself, which is typically disposed exterior to an enclosure andusually retains a small amount of liquid in the faucet head even whenclosed. Consequently, this liquid is susceptible to freezing, thuscausing damage to the faucet.

One other solution to this problem involves the use of a thermallyactive element comprised of a combination of materials having differingcoefficients of thermal expansion arranged such that one material movesin relation to another with a change in temperature. Valves containingsuch thermal elements are constructed so that movement of the thermalelements enables movement of a plug, thereby opening the faucet andallowing water to drip. However, because a hose or other accessory maybe attached to the end of the faucet, this accessory may already containfluid in it that has frozen, causing the outlet of the faucet to beblocked and hence susceptible to freezing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above discussed deficiencies and other drawbacks are overcome oralleviated by a fluid flow control device for controlling the flow offluid within a pipe system, wherein the flow actuation device includes aflow actuation device, wherein the flow actuation device is disposedwithin the flow path of the pipe system and wherein the flow actuationdevice is configurable between an open configuration and a closedconfiguration, an actuator control device, wherein the actuator controldevice is associated with the flow actuation device and a processingdevice, the processing device disposed to be associated with theactuator control device to cause the flow actuation device to beconfigured between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

A method for controlling the flow of fluid within a pipe system using aflow actuation device is provided wherein the method includes monitoringa pipe system for at least one desired characteristic, wherein the pipesystem is supplied by at least one fluid source, controlling the flowactuation device responsive to the at least one desired characteristicsuch that a predetermined section of the pipe system is fluidicallyisolated from the at least one fluid source and draining thepredetermined section of the pipe system of fluid by controlling theflow actuation device.

A machine-readable computer program code is provided wherein the programcode includes instructions for causing a controller to implement amethod for controlling the flow of fluid within a pipe system using aflow actuation device, wherein the method includes monitoring a pipesystem for at least one desired characteristic, wherein the pipe systemis supplied by at least one fluid source, controlling the flow actuationdevice responsive to the at least one desired characteristic such that apredetermined section of the pipe system is fluidically isolated fromthe at least one fluid source and draining the predetermined section ofthe pipe system of fluid by controlling the flow actuation device.

A medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code isprovided, wherein the program code includes instructions for causing acontroller to implement a method for controlling the flow of fluidwithin a pipe system using a flow actuation device, wherein the methodincludes monitoring a pipe system for at least one desiredcharacteristic, wherein the pipe system is supplied by at least onefluid source, controlling the flow actuation device responsive to the atleast one desired characteristic such that a predetermined section ofthe pipe system is fluidically isolated from the at least one fluidsource and draining the predetermined section of the pipe system offluid by controlling the flow actuation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully understood from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the severalFigures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simple fluid flow controlassembly incorporating a flow actuation device, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the flow actuation device ofFIG. 1, in the closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the flow actuation device ofFIG. 1, in the opened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid flow control assemblyincorporating the flow actuation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fluid flow controlassembly of FIG. 4, with the processing device connected to theinternet;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a method for controlling fluidflow within a pipe system;

FIG. 7 is a side cross sectional view illustrating an additionalembodiment of a flow actuation device in a closed flow configuration anda closed drain configuration;

FIG. 8 is a side cross sectional view illustrating an additionalembodiment of a flow actuation device in both an open flow configurationand an open drain configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of the flow actuation device ofFIG. 7, in an open flow configuration and a closed drain configuration;and

FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the flow actuation device ofFIG. 7, in a closed flow configuration and an open drain configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrating a simple fluidflow control assembly 100 is shown, wherein the fluid flow controlassembly 100 includes a flow actuation device 102, an actuator controldevice 104 and a processing device 106, wherein actuator control device104 is communicated with flow actuation device 102 and processing device106. As shown in FIG. 1, flow actuation device 102 is shown as includinga first flow actuation device 108 and a second flow actuation device110, wherein first flow actuation device 108 is associated with a pipe112 coming from a piping system 114 such that first flow actuationdevice 108 is disposed between the piping system 114 and a faucet 116.Second flow actuation device 110 is shown as being associated with adrain pipe 118 which is disposed between faucet 116 and first flowactuation device 108.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of flow actuationdevice 102 is shown and includes a device outer structure 120 whichdefines a device cavity 122 and includes a device inlet 124 communicatedwith a device outlet 126 via device cavity 122. Disposed within devicecavity 122 is a flow actuator 128 which is communicated with actuatorcontrol device 104. Flow actuation device 102 is configurable between aclosed configuration 130 and an open configuration 132, such that whenflow actuation device 102 is configured into closed configuration 130,fluid is prevented from flowing between device inlet 124 and deviceoutlet 126 and when flow actuation device 102 is configured into openconfiguration 132, fluid is allowed to flow between device inlet 124 anddevice outlet 126. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, this may beaccomplished by using a flow actuator 128 that is configurable viaactuator control device 104 in a manner responsive to processing device106 and/or via temperature of the fluid flowing into flow actuationdevice 102 through pipe 108. As can be seen, a fluid 134 flows intodevice inlet 124 and encounters flow actuator 128. If flow actuationdevice 102 is configured into the closed configuration 130, the flow offluid 134 is disrupted and stopped by flow actuator 128, which isclosed. However, if the flow actuation device 102 is configured into theopened configuration 132, the fluid 134 is allowed to flow through (oraround) flow actuation device 102, which is open, without disrupting theflow of fluid within the system.

Referring to FIG. 4, a plumbing system 400 for a building is shownwherein the plumbing system 400 includes a fluid source 402 that isconnected to a first faucet 404, a second faucet 406, a laundry device408 and a bathroom device 410 via a fluid flow control assembly 412. Asshown, fluid flow control assembly 412 includes a plurality of flowactuation control devices 414 having a first flow actuation controldevice 416, a second flow actuation control device 418, a third flowactuation control device 420, a fourth flow actuation control device422, a fifth flow actuation control device 424, a sixth flow actuationcontrol device 426, a seventh flow actuation control device 428, aneighth flow actuation control device 430 and a ninth flow actuationcontrol device 432. As can be seen, fluid source 402 is connected withplumbing system 400 via a first fluid source inlet pipe 434 connected toa four-way connector 436. Furthermore, four-way connector 436 isconnected with first faucet 404 and second faucet 406 via a first regionpiping section 438 and a second region piping section 440, respectively.

First region piping section 438 is connected with first faucet 404 via afirst region pipe 442, wherein first region pipe 442 includes a firstregion drain pipe 444 having a first region drain pipe outlet 446. Firstregion pipe 442 also includes first flow actuation control device 416and second flow actuation control device 418, wherein first flowactuation control device 416 is disposed between four-way connector 436and first region drain pipe 444 and wherein second flow actuationcontrol device 418 is disposed between first region drain pipe outlet446 and first region pipe 442. In a similar fashion, second regionpiping section 440 is connected with second faucet 406 via a secondregion pipe 448, wherein second region pipe 448 includes a second regiondrain pipe 450 having a second region drain pipe outlet 452. Secondregion pipe 450 also includes third flow actuation control device 420and fourth flow actuation control device 422, wherein third flowactuation control device 420 is disposed between four-way connector 436and second region drain pipe 450 and wherein fourth flow actuationcontrol device 422 is disposed between second region drain pipe outlet452 and second region pipe 448.

Additionally, four-way connector 436 is shown as being connected with athird region piping section 454 and a fourth region piping section 456via a second fluid source inlet pipe 458 connected to a three-wayconnector 460. Third region piping section 454 is shown as beingconnected to a typical washing machine 462 and fourth region pipingsection 456 is shown as being connected to a typical sink 464. As can beseen, three-way connector 460 is connected with washing machine 462 viaa third region pipe 466 which includes a third region drain pipe 468having a third region drain pipe outlet 470, wherein third region drainpipe 468 is disposed between three-way connector 460 and washing machine462. Third region pipe 466 also includes fifth flow actuation controldevice 424 and sixth flow actuation control device 426, wherein fifthflow actuation control device 424 is disposed between three-wayconnector 460 and third region drain pipe 468 and wherein sixth flowactuation control device 426 is disposed between third region drain pipeoutlet 470 and third region pipe 466.

Similarly, three-way connector 460 is connected with sink 464 via afourth region pipe 472 which includes a fourth region drain pipe 474having a fourth region drain pipe outlet 476, wherein fourth regiondrain pipe 474 is disposed between three-way connector 460 and sink 464.Fourth region pipe 472 also includes seventh flow actuation controldevice 428 and eighth flow actuation control device 430, wherein seventhflow actuation control device 428 is disposed between three-wayconnector 460 and fourth region drain pipe 474 and wherein eighth flowactuation control device 430 is disposed between fourth region drainpipe outlet 476 and fourth region pipe 472. Furthermore, second fluidsource inlet pipe 458 includes ninth flow actuation control device 432which is disposed between four-way connector 436 and three-way connector460.

As shown, each of the plurality of flow actuation control devices 414are communicated with processing device 106 via wireless communication.This allows processing device 106 to control plurality of flow actuationdevices 414 individually. Thus, if a leak occurs in any of the devicesconnected to plumbing system 400, the appropriate fluid flow actuationcontrol device can be controlled to shut off water. For example,consider the situation where first faucet 404 is an external faucet andthe outside air temperature is beginning to fall below freezing. Iffirst faucet 404 is closed and water is allowed to flow to first faucet404, then water within first region pipe 442 will be static, i.e. notflowing. As such, the water contained within the portion of first regionpipe 442 closest to first faucet 404 will be exposed to sub-freezingtemperatures. If the water is not removed from first region pipe 442,then the water contained with the pipe will be susceptible to freezingand thus, damaging the pipe. As such, first flow actuation controldevice 416 is actuated via processing device 106 such that first flowactuation device 416 is closed, blocking the flow of water in firstregion pipe 442. At this point though, there is still water containedwithin first region pipe 442 and the only way to reduce the risk ofdamage due to freezing is to remove the remaining water which iscontained within first region pipe 442 between first faucet 404 andfirst flow actuation device 416. To do this, second flow actuationdevice 418 is actuated to open, thus allowing the water contained withinfirst region pipe 442 to flow through first region drain pipe 444 andout of first region drain pipe outlet 446. It should be appreciated thateach of the plurality of flow actuation control devices 414 may becommunicated with processing device 106 via a hardwired connectionand/or an Internet connection or/and an Intranet connection, as shown inFIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating a method 600 forcontrolling the flow of fluid within a pipe system using a flowactuation device is shown and includes monitoring a pipe system for atleast one desired characteristic, as shown in block 602, wherein thepipe system is supplied by at least one fluid source. The flow actuationdevice is controlled in a manner responsive to the at least one desiredcharacteristic such that a predetermined section of the pipe system isfluidically isolated from the at least one fluid source, as shown inblock 604. The predetermined section of the pipe system may then bedrained of fluid by controlling the flow actuation device, as shown inblock 606.

Referring to FIG. 7, a side view of an additional embodiment of fluidactuation device 702 is shown and includes a device 720 which defines adevice cavity 722 and includes a device inlet 724 communicated with afirst device outlet 726 and a second device outlet 728 via device cavity722. Disposed within device cavity 722, adjacent first device outlet726, is a first flow actuator 730 which is communicated with an actuatorcontrol device 704. Additionally, disposed within device cavity 722,adjacent second device outlet 728, is a second flow actuator 732 whichalso is communicated with an actuator control device 704. Referring toFIG. 7 and FIG. 8, first flow actuator 730 is configurable between afirst flow open configuration 734 and a first flow closed configuration736 and second flow actuator 732 is configurable between a second flowopen configuration 738 and a second flow closed configuration 740. Itshould be appreciated that first flow actuator 730 and second flowactuator 732 may be configured separately, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.10 and/or individually as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This allows fluidactuation device 702 the capability to totally restrict the flow offluid and/or allow the flow of fluid through one or both of first flowactuator 730 and second flow actuator 732. Moreover, both first flowactuator 730 and second flow actuator 732 may be communicated withactuator control device 104 such that actuator control device 104 maycontrol the configurability of at least one of first flow actuator 730and second flow actuator 732.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, processing of the Figuresmay be implemented through a processing device operating in response toa computer program. In order to perform the prescribed functions anddesired processing, as well as the computations therefore (e.g., theexecution of fourier analysis algorithm(s), the control processesprescribed herein, and the like), the controller may include, but not belimited to, a processor(s), computer(s), memory, storage, register(s),timing, interrupt(s), communication interfaces, and input/output signalinterfaces, as well as combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing. For example, the controller may include signal input signalfiltering to enable accurate sampling and conversion or acquisitions ofsuch signals from communications interfaces. It should also beconsidered within the scope of the invention that the processing of theFigures may be implemented by a controller located remotely from theprocessing device.

Moreover, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the aboveembodiment(s) may be embodied in the form of computer-implementedprocesses and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The above mayalso be embodied in the form of computer program code containinginstructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes,CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium,wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by acomputer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing theinvention. Existing systems having reprogrammable storage (e.g., flashmemory) can be updated to implement the invention. The above can also beembodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whetherstored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer,or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electricalwiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagneticradiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into andexecuted by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicingthe invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, thecomputer program code segments configure the microprocessor to createspecific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalentsmay be substituted for elements thereof without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings ofthe invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodimentdisclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention,but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within thescope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated anyuse of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order orimportance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used todistinguish one element from another.

1. A fluid flow control device for controlling the flow of fluid withina pipe system, the flow actuation device comprising: a flow actuationdevice, wherein said flow actuation device is disposed within the flowpath of the pipe system and wherein said flow actuation device isconfigurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;an actuator control device, wherein said actuator control device isassociated with said flow actuation device; and a processing device,wherein said processing device is communicated with said actuatorcontrol device to cause said flow actuation device to be configuredbetween said open configuration and said closed configuration.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, further including a sensing device associated withthe pipe system to sense at least one characteristic of the fluid. 3.The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one characteristic includestemperature of the fluid.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said atleast one characteristic includes rate of flow of the fluid through thepipe system.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said processing iscommunicated with said actuator control device via at least one of awireless connection and a hardwired connection.
 6. The device of claim1, wherein said processing device is communicated with a remote devicevia an Internet connection to allow said flow actuation device to becontrolled remotely.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said flowactuation device includes a first flow device and a second flow deviceand wherein said open configuration includes at least one of said firstflow device and said second flow device being configured to allow fluidflow past said at least one of said first flow device and said secondflow device.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said closed configurationincludes at least one of said first flow device and said second flowdevice being configured to block fluid flow past said at least one ofsaid first flow device and said second flow device.
 9. A method forcontrolling the flow of fluid within a pipe system using a flowactuation device, the method comprising: monitoring a pipe system for atleast one desired characteristic, wherein the pipe system is supplied byat least one fluid source; controlling the flow actuation deviceresponsive to said at least one desired characteristic such that apredetermined section of the pipe system is fluidically isolated fromsaid at least one fluid source; and draining said predetermined sectionof the pipe system of fluid by controlling said flow actuation device.10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one desiredcharacteristic includes fluid temperature of the fluid flowing withinthe pipe system.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least onedesired characteristic includes fluid rate of flow within the pipesystem.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said controlling includescontrolling the flow actuation device via a processing device.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said processing device is communicated withthe flow actuation device via at least one of a wireless connection anda hard wired connection.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein saidprocessing device is communicated with the flow actuation device via atleast one of an Internet connection and an Intranet connection.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said draining includes controlling the flowactuation device to cause fluid contained within said predeterminedsection to flow out of said predetermined section.
 16. Amachine-readable computer program code, wherein the program codeincludes instructions for causing a controller to implement a method forcontrolling the flow of fluid within a pipe system using a flowactuation device, wherein the method comprises: monitoring a pipe systemfor at least one desired characteristic, wherein the pipe system issupplied by at least one fluid source; controlling the flow actuationdevice responsive to said at least one desired characteristic such thata predetermined section of the pipe system is fluidically isolated fromsaid at least one fluid source; and draining said predetermined sectionof the pipe system of fluid by controlling said flow actuation device.17. The machine-readable computer program code of claim 16, wherein themachine-readable computer program code is encoded onto a storage medium.